The History of Phuket – What to Know

Phuket’s history first began when Indian merchants arrived in the 1st century B.C. The island is well known for its beautiful beaches and has become a dream travel destination for tourists from many parts of the world. There are several historical landmarks with a rich history on this island. Here are some important historical events to know about:

Heroines of Phuket history

Burma, presently Myanmar, once tried to invade the island of Phuket. Fortunately, the Thai army was successful and able to defend it on their own. Over a year later, the Burmese army attempted to approach Phuket again, with a fleet even larger than the last. The governor’s wife and her sister took charge, assembling an army to defend the island.

The sisters included and involved local women into the army, disguising them as male soldiers to impress upon the Burmese army that Phuket’s defence force was invincible. The Burmese army continued to approach but left shortly after the attack. Later, King Rama, I recognized the bravery of these two noble sisters, creating a monument to pay respects to them. There are also many significant roads that are named after these ladies.

The trading scene

Phuket was well recognized as a crucial trading point on the bay of Bengal. These ports are busy with shiploads of goods that arrive and leave from various destinations from many locations such as China, Burma, India, and even Saudi Arabia. Phuket was well known for its tin, and many merchants and traders came to seek this natural resource. The large deposits of tin were discovered in Phuket, which was then colonized by British, French, and Portuguese traders who set up shops on the land.

The tin boom

Tin mining was the most significant boom of the 19th century in Phuket. It attracted many Chinese labourers, who flocked to the island in order to work under the European mine owners. The Chinese labourers were traditional folk and introduced their religious beliefs and culinary skills to the people, which is how Phuket culture came to be. This is why you can see so much Chinese culture influence today.

However, there is also Portuguese influences and accents of their architectural structures that can be noted in the old town district of Phuket. Rubber was and still is the most significant natural resource available in Phuket, and it allows the island to earn quite a bit of revenue every year. The inland region of Phuket is covered by many tree plantations, making Thailand the top rubber producer of the world.

Beach history

The beaches of Phuket showcase beautiful sunsets and topaz water with amazing shores. Phuket’s coasts are what bring the elite to the island as well as anyone looking for leisure under the bright sun. There are tons of flights filled with visitors coming to Phuket just for the beaches and the exotic weather with high-class resorts.

Phuket’s tsunami history

Patong Beach experienced the most devastating tsunami in 2004 where the death toll reached a staggering 250 people. The tourism industry and the economy suffered badly but eventually regained normalcy within a couple of years as the restoration of resorts had begun. Currently, rubber and tourism are the main means of income for Phuket.

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